Salad anyone?

Salad anyone?, a photo by ucumari on Flickr.

"The endangered African Black Rhino.
One of the many things I like about Miami Metro Zoo is not just the variety of animals but also the multiple species." [Photo, title and quote - ucumari]

Some Like It Hot III

Was at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Scotland Neck, Monday for a Board meeting and did an early tour of the great exhibits before it got too hot.

Talked to Ali Lubbock, of the Sylvan Heights family, Friday. It was 103 degree F! Yet some folks showed up that afternoon to go through the six-acre corn maze!

A Natural

Ann and I used our NC Zoo Society life member card to make a reciprocal visit to the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores Thursday.

Big fan of their outdoor, all-natural Marsh Boardwalk, Egret Point Overlook, Bogue Sound Overlook and Alice Hoffman Nature Trail. (All showing off the natural setting into which the Aquarium has been placed.)

Like the changes inside too (including the great gift shop).

Zoo Squirrels & Snails!

Doesn't sound like a reason to go to the Phoenix Zoo? Well, add to that the facts that they are not on exhibit and the snails are the size of poppy seeds at fully grown!

But good for the Zoo! They are protecting rare Mount Graham red squirrels and springsnails from potential devastation by fire.

Striding Toward the "Mid-Day Sun"

DSC_0493, a photo by russlings on Flickr.

A Welshman in Wales too.

A Welshman in Wales

DSC_0451, a photo by russlings on Flickr.

In the mid-day sun?

No "Mad Dog"...She

"Mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the mid-day sun." [Noel Coward (1899-1973) from "Mad Dogs and Englishmen."]

Mini-Schnauz Bijou kept to the shade and stopped often to rest and leisurely mark her passing along Lake Daniel Greenway, G'boro on our very recent walk.

Her choices of route and pace were appreciated by this Welshman.

Kudu Calf Care

"Three Kudu calves have been born. Two are being hand-reared, one because it was rejected by the mother; the other suffered a broken leg." [also from NC Zoo senior staff mtg. notes, 7/27/11]

New Plan

"Polar Bear “Wilhelm” will go to Milwaukee Zoo while the Polar Bear exhibit work is ongoing." [from NC Zoo senior staff mtg. notes, 7/27/11]

Aquila's in Detroit. In May the plan was that Willie would stay here...off exhibit.

Olympia da Gorilla

"We have received a new female gorilla from Atlanta. Her name is Olympia. She is currently in quarantine for 30 days." [NC Zoo senior staff mtg. notes, 7/27/11]

Some Like It Hot II

New record for NC Zoo Society Toyota Prius, which performs best in hot temps: last tank of gas: 506.5 miles @ 60.1 m.p.g.

Filled in Raleigh, on way to Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park, Scotland Neck, NC; then New Bern, Beaufort and NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores and back to Raleigh.

Taser Death at Zoo...

...creates outcry from some.

Man dies at Denver Zoo after Taser is used to restrain him from attacking police and Zoo security.

Tan Line on a Polar Bear?

Pepsi makes fun of Coke's polar bear ads. (So do i.)

Don't Try This at Home

Or anywhere!

False Pregnancy

National Zoo giant panda watch ends.

extinct

extinct, a photo by belgianchocolate on Flickr.

belgianchocolate.

'nuff said.

How Appropriate!

Noticed that the prior article, which came to me today by way of a daily Google search for "zoo" articles, said the Kids' Farm (at National Zoo) would probably have named a sponsor yesterday.

Did my own Google search and found that that sponsor of the Kids' Farm is. appropriately, State Farm, the insurance company.

Farm Friend Mystery

Someone is stepping up to save the Kids' Farm at the National Zoo. But who?

Devil Dog?

Allegheny alligator?

This article about the Maryland Zoo's new hellbender exhibit offers some new nicknames for Snotty the snot otter.

But Can He Dance?

“Rocky, the National Zoo’s first whooping crane since 1923, has no “whoop”.”

“I want to see if he will respond to dancing,” says his keeper, Debi Talbott.

Both whooping and dancing are key elements of whooping crane breeding behavior.

Becca on Zoo Keeper Week

"Hello,

"Just wanted to make everyone aware that July 17-23 is National Zoo Keeper Week.

"“The American Association of Zookeepers is excited to announce National Zoo Keeper Week,” said Shane Good, President of the American Association of Zoo Keepers, Inc. “This national celebration is in recognition of Zoo keepers, aquarists, and the animal care professionals in our nation's zoological parks and aquariums. Zookeepers serve as animal care experts, front line educators, and conservationists. We are proud to have zookeepers recognized for the important work they do on behalf of wildlife and conservation.”

"Created by AAZK, Inc, National Zoo Keeper Week is celebrated each year beginning on the third Sunday in July. During the week, zoos nationwide honor animal care professionals and the work they do in animal care, conservation, and education. There are approximately 6,000 animal care professionals in the United States.

"To help increase public awareness about the need to preserve our precious habitats and the animals which inhabit them and to recognize the roles that zookeepers play in animal conservation and education, the American Association of Zoo Keepers invites zoos, aquariums, and their guests to participate in National Zoo Keeper Week.

"The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)a non-profit volunteer organization made up of professional zookeepers and other interested persons dedicated to professional animal care and conservation. The mission of AAZK is to advance excellence in the zoo keeping profession, foster effective communication beneficial to animal care, support deserving conservation projects, and promote the preservation of our natural resources and animal life. For more information, visit www.aazk.org."

Becca Wentz
Animal Keeper
North Carolina Zoological Park
NC AAZK Chapter President 2011

"Most Dangerous Bird" Escapes

A cassowary escaped within the Denver Zoo, prompting the closure of that area of the park, as it refers to the big, flightless avian as the "World's Most Dangerous Bird". [Video at link]

It is the third tallest and second heaviest bird species.

The frightened, 60-pound bird was rather easily captured, it appears.

Note: The 1958 book "Living Birds of the World", by ornithologist Thomas E. Gilliard, claims: "The inner or second of the three toes is fitted with a long, straight, murderous nail which can sever an arm or eviscerate an abdomen with ease. There are many records of natives being killed by this bird." The book, however, did not include records or references for these alleged deaths and, I understand, recent research has only been able to verify one human death, way back in 1926.

Beauty all around or is it all around beauty[?]

Beauty all around or is it all around beauty, a photo by ucumari on Flickr.

Ucumari portrait of a Knoxville (TN) Zoo waterbuck. (Her title)

You"ll also find these at the NC Zoo.

Zoo Director re: "Elephant Bees"

"Remember trying the more conventional methods in this area 25 years ago. Success will depend on honey sales though, because the hives probably cost a fair amount to build in the density they need them. There is though an existing honey export market from East Africa, especially Tanzania, so maybe they can tap into that." [NC Zoo Director David M. Jones on the Wired Science article on beehive fences keeping African elephants away from trouble]

That Old Trick

Lot of attention (AP and HUFFPOST Green) yesterday to Columbus Zoo's "tricking" of birds (flamingos) with "fake eggs".

Seems I remember (almost 60 years ago) our neighbors using wooden eggs to "trick" their chicken hens.

Anyone know how old this practice might be? (I'm guessing centuries.)

"People of the Forest"

"The word orangutan comes from the Malay words "Orang", meaning person, and "Hutan", meaning forest." ["Connect", July 2011, Association of Zoos and Aquariums magazine]

The Phoenix Zoo has recently opened a new exhibit: Orang-Hutan: "People of the Forest".

Elephants at Bus Stop

German police nab them.

""The two elephants were quite cooperative and peaceful. Everyone was amused."

"If the two were trying to make an escape, they were not going far..."

Note: if you come across an elephant, do NOT count on it being quite cooperative!

"Elephant-Proof" Beehive Fences

Great article on the problem (elephants trampling crops) and the solution.

“[The elephants] are coming back into a world where there are so many more people,” ... “They are finding buildings, roads, schools and farms across their normal migration routes.

"And when elephants encounter farmland, crops get eaten and trampled, and the situation can turn deadly. Elephants often leave farms with spear and gunshot wounds. Each year a few dozen people and few dozen elephants die during nighttime raids."

"Out of 45 attempted farm invasions, over two years of monitoring, elephants made it through sections protected by thorn-bush barriers 31 times, but only one elephant — a very determined bull — broke through a section of beehive fencing."

"The beehive fences brought the farmers an added perk — extra income from honey sales."

Lego Safari

At Bronx Zoo.

Arson at San Diego Zoo

A gift shop near the panda exhibit at the San Diego Zoo has been totally destroyed by a fire believed to have been set intentionally.

No animals were injured by the early morning fire.

"Despite the fire, the zoo opened as scheduled."

'Nother AZA Zoo Economic Impact

Phoenix Zoo adds $64 million to state economy, with its 125 acres and 1.5 million visitors a year.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) reports.

NC Zoo Scarlet Ibis

Ibis, of the Scarlet Ibis's!, a photo by ucumari on Flickr.

Ucumari's recent portrait. Don't know how she does it. I have never even SEEN one of ours this clearly.

Cigarettes, Guns & Snowmobiles

Illegal traffickers in walrus ivory and polar bear hides trade with native Alaskans.

"...they sold about 230 pounds of walrus tusks to a buyer in Colorado for about $22,000, the indictment said. Two polar bear hides went for $2,700."

Bijou

"trooper", a photo by russlings on Flickr.

7/2/11, after pulling me to the top of Grandfather Mountain. [Photo's really by Mom Ann Lynch]

Heron Dog

8-year-old mini Schnauz Bijou stopped this evening near a bench facing Buffalo Creek in Greensboro's Lake Daniel Park. I sat down and within seconds my favorite bird, a green heron, flew along the creek.

Mothers of All Polar Bears...

...were 10 Irish brown bears.

"Today's warming climate is again bringing modern polar bears into contact with brown bears in places like Canada and Alaska."

'Nother NC Zookeeper...

...'nother movie. "Stephen Wilmoth [on Facebook] will not be going to see the movie "The Zookeeper."

"The company that provided all the animals for the movie is the same that used my friend Kendall the chimp (and several other great apes) in live stage shows over the years. Fortunately many of these apes are now being well cared for in new homes, but their lives won't ever be the same. Please think about this before you support the movie. Thanks!"

"Chimp Learns; Humans Don't"

Revealed in documentary based on Project Nim. (Nim Chimpsky: it ain't funny.) [hat tip: Becky Kloepfer - facebook]

"The history of mankind is littered with efforts to retool other species in our own image."

Great AZA Idea

Memphis Zoo's positive economic impact on West Tennessee is made clear in this article, based on info from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums study that reports on all 212 AZA zoos and aquariums, "which serve more than 179 million visitors each year".

Great idea...as city, county and state governments struggle with budget prioritization.

Quite Open

The Minnesota Zoo is open despite state shutdowns and is also opening more. Tomorrow is the first day for its new environmental education center.

"...the education center includes classroom spaces and interactive areas for close-up learning with Zoomobile animals, encouraging caring attitudes toward nature and animals. The center is complete with safe and secure drop-off areas for students, providing a unique gathering place where school groups can come together upon arrival at the Zoo."

2 New Kudu

"Two Kudu calves have been born. One is being hand-reared as it was rejected by the mother." [one more from NC Zoo Senior Staff Meeting notes]

Low Bid Comes in High

"The lowest bid for the Polar Bear Project came in at $500,000 over the available funds. Discussions are going on with the Department and the low bidder to try to make sure we can find enough money to go ahead and sign the contract to begin the work." [also from NC Zoo Senior Staff Meeting Notes, 7/6/11]

The NC Zoo Society kicked off a capital campaign to raise $2 million from private sources in late October 2009, with $1.2 million already raised. That goal was increased to $2.6 million more recently. Well more than $2 million has been raised to date.

"Not Settled Well"

"The young female Sea Lion on loan from Pittsburgh has not settled well and will be returned to her original group." [from NC Zoo Senior Staff Meeting notes, 7/6/11]

Nori & Auntie

The young NC Zoo chimpanzee and one of her care-giving "aunts". [NC Zoo Society facebook page; Tom Gillespie photo I am told]

Pricy Polar Bear Trio

Canada's Northwest Territories reflect their polar bears and diamond mines in pricy gifts to Prince William and Kate Middleton ("a Harry Winston diamond brooch and pair of cufflinks....bearing a pave polar bear silhouette beneath a semi-circle representing the northern lights").

Temps Up?

Then prices are down at Jacksonville (FL) Zoo.

"Since its beginning in 1914, with an animal collection that consisted of only one red deer fawn..."

Time Remembers

"Time" remembers Marjan and the NC Zoo in article about Kabul Zoo.

High & Dry Omaha Zoo

Omaha Zoo's website wants to be perfectly clear: it is "high and dry".

"High and Dry - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo is not affected by the current flooding of the Missouri River. The Zoo is open and is in no danger of flooding as it sits on a bluff."

High & dry driving directions are also offered.

Minnesota Zoo Open...

...despite state's shut down.

The CEO of the other state zoo "says 29% of its operating budget comes from the state, and the zoo has enough money to last well into September if necessary."

Seek Higher Ground

Missouri River deer, a photo by russlings on Flickr.

Deer affected by current flooding of the Missouri River north of Council Bluffs, Iowa (near Omaha). Hat tip: Pat Olsen.

Baboon Was Headed for Jersey Shore

So says this article on the baboon captured in N.J.

"Monkey World" seems to be saying they are not yet sure that this escaped baboon is one of theirs.

Minot (ND) Zoo Flooding

Como Zoo in St. Paul, MN, is among those that have accepted animals from "flood-ravaged" Minot Zoo.

"Merritt said many of the [Minot] zoo's two dozen buildings will need minor to major repairs, and some could require demolition. The zoo's new, partially completed $1.7 million entrance building also was devastated by floodwaters that have reached heights not seen in 130 years. Nearly 12,000 people have been displaced by the flood."

Dakota Zoo Reopens

July 1 sees Bismarck, ND zoo reopen.

Bismarck, ND fared much better with June flooding than did Minot, ND.

Polar Bear Exhibit X 3

The NC Zoo polar bear exhibit will soon triple in size.

It will "provide additional room for new bears that the zoo hopes to acquire by 2013."

Threatened Status Further Threatens Polar Bears?

Treehugger.

"Joe Romm of Think Progress states the problem well, "Department of Interior suffers from a rare form of bipolar disorder called bye-polar disorder.""

Great Day @ Grandfather

Bijou, Ann & I enjoyed a perfect day on Grandfather Mountain.

Great views from the other side of the Mile High Bridge and Bijou (and Ann) were troopers on the rocky, interesting trails near the top.

Grandfather welcomes dogs on leashes.

Bijou pulled me up to the top. Saw another fluffy little pup being carried.

Tired trio is back home.